On June 29, 2006, the NGO Center for the Development of Lawyers and the Human Rights and Documentation Center, together with journalists from the Kakheti region, held a protest in front of the Sighnaghi District Prosecutor’s Office. Protesters demanded a thorough investigation into the June 15 incident in the village of Anaga, accountability for the police officers who witnessed the attack, and punishment of those responsible for organizing and carrying out the assault. The victimized journalists placed posters reflecting their demands in the park outside the prosecutor’s office.

The protest was prompted by an attack that occurred on June 15, during a theatrical demonstration organized by NGOs in support of local self-governance. During the event, organizers and journalists were assaulted; their cameras, microphones, and photo equipment were smashed. Reporters from Telescope, 24 Saati, and Spektri were physically attacked. The journalists and NGO representatives claimed that the incident had been orchestrated by the head of the ruling National Movement in Sighnaghi and sitting MP, Nugzar Abulashvili.

“The trail clearly leads to Abulashvili. The purpose of our protest today is to ensure that the real organizers of the attack are identified,” said Roman Kevkhishvili, a correspondent for Telavi-based Telescope TV.

Although three individuals were charged for participating in the assault, NGOs insisted that several others involved had yet to be held accountable. They also demanded disciplinary action against police officers who, according to witnesses, passively observed the attack without intervening.

Sighnaghi District Prosecutor David Kochlamazashvili responded to the protest, stating, “An investigation into the incident, classified as hooliganism, has begun, and two individuals have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing, and it is too early to draw conclusions. More arrests may follow.”

On June 18, the Sighnaghi District Court ordered pretrial detention for Soso Nanobashvili, acting chair of the Vakiri local council, and Bacho Munjishvili, a resident of Vakiri. Another defendant, Jemal Demetrashvili, was released on bail of 5,000 GEL.